US Merchant Marine Veterans Of WW2 Have Waited 75 Years And Counting

After several sessions of Congress (beginning with the 109th) failed to yield monetary benefits to our WWII Merchant Mariners to compensate for their absence of GI Bill benefits, it appeared that finally the 114th Congress (2015-16) would offer some overdue recognition in the form of the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill (H.R. 2992) passed in a special session of “legislation considered under suspension of the rules”; however, the Senate companion bill (S. 2989) did not garnish enough support. Again, our seagoing heroes of WWII were kicked under the rug. Closure would have to wait for another time.

We must capture this opportunity to collectively honor our WWII mariners while a few of them are still living. From a maritime standpoint, we owe this group our support – this is our heritage. From a patriotic view, just consider how the world might be today without their service and sacrifice. Is this not worth a letter or phone call to your Congressional representatives?

H.R. 5879 & S. 2127: Let’s finish the job!

We ask that all Americans readers of gCaptain click HERE to support Gold Medal legislation and HERE to join AMMV. We also ask that all overseas readers support their local Merchant Navy organizations today.